Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Model 665 Identification Guide

Quick Answer

To find your model number, open the dishwasher door and look for a printed sticker on the right or left inside frame of the tub. The 665 prefix confirms your Kenmore Elite was manufactured by Whirlpool, which is essential for identifying the correct internal mechanical parts.

Here's what I always tell people: that model number sticker isn't just a formality. The 665 prefix tells you Whirlpool built it, and every digit after that tells you exactly which version of the guts are inside. Skip any of those numbers and you're rolling the dice on parts that might not fit. I've shown up to jobs where someone ordered the wrong control board twice because they only had the '665' and nothing else.

KenmoreDishwasherSeverity: low

Time to Fix

5–10 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$0 (no parts needed)

Tools Needed

Flashlight, Phone camera

Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Model 665 Identification Guide

The 665 family covered dishwashers from roughly 1990 through the mid-2010s, so we're talking about a huge range of machines with a ton of variation inside. Some have plastic tubs, some stainless. Some have visible controls on the front, others have that sleek hidden-control setup where everything's on the top edge of the door. The parts don't always cross over between sub-models, even when the machines look identical from the outside.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

FlashlightPhone cameraPhillips #2 screwdriverDamp cloth or paper towel

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 665 mean my dishwasher is a Whirlpool?

Yep, exactly right. Kenmore isn't actually a manufacturer, it's basically a brand that Sears put on appliances they bought from other companies. The 665 prefix is the Whirlpool code. And honestly, that's great news for you because Whirlpool parts are everywhere. Your local appliance parts store probably has the common stuff on the shelf already. RepairClinic, PartSelect, AppliancePartsPros all stock 665 series parts heavily. The motor, pump assembly, spray arms, and control boards for these units are some of the most commonly stocked dishwasher parts in the country. You're not waiting weeks for some obscure import.

Why do I need the numbers after the 665?

Think of 665 like saying your car is a Ford F-150. OK, but is it a 2005 with a 5.4 engine or a 2018 with an EcoBoost? They share some parts but definitely not all of them. Same thing here. Kenmore and Whirlpool were constantly tweaking these machines, and a drain pump that fits a 665.1312 might not physically mount up on a 665.1474. Control board connector pinouts can be different. Even spray arm geometry changed between some production runs. I've watched guys order the wrong pump three times in a row because they only gave me the 665 prefix. Don't be that guy.

Can I find the model number on the back of the dishwasher?

Technically yes, there's usually a tag back there. But I'd really rather you not pull the dishwasher out just to find it. These machines are hard-wired into your electrical box in most cases, and they've got a water supply line and a drain hose connected too. Moving one is a whole project, and you risk kinking the drain hose or stressing the water connection. Whirlpool always puts a duplicate tag somewhere you can reach without moving anything, specifically because techs need to read it without pulling the unit. I've found an accessible tag on literally every 665 I've worked on. Check the door frame and top edge first.

What if my model number starts with 110 or 790?

So 110 means Whirlpool built it but it's a washer or dryer, not a dishwasher. If you've got 110 on something under your counter, something weird happened with that appliance. The 790 prefix means Frigidaire built it, so it's a completely different machine internally and parts don't cross over at all. If you've got a 362 or 363, that's a GE-built Kenmore. This guide is specifically about the 665 Whirlpool-built dishwashers. Wrong prefix means you're shopping from the wrong parts catalog, and that's exactly how you end up with a control board that won't plug in when it arrives.

Is the serial number the same as the model number?

Nope, they're totally different. Your model number describes the design. Every single 665.13123K701 ever made is mechanically identical. Your serial number is unique to your specific machine and tells us exactly when it was built, down to the week of production. You need both when you're calling a repair service because the serial number lets them check for factory service bulletins on units built during that production run, verify warranty status if it's newer, and look up service history. Model number gets you the right parts. Serial number tells the full story of your specific machine.

Where can I find parts for my 665 series dishwasher?

Since it's Whirlpool-built, parts are pretty easy to track down. Your local appliance parts store is a solid first call, they usually have door gaskets, spray arms, and dish racks in stock. For specific stuff like control boards or circulation pumps, I'd go to RepairClinic or PartSelect online and punch in your full model number, and I mean the whole thing, not just 665. They'll show you exactly what fits. Prices vary a lot. A door latch might run you $15 but a control board can be $120 to $180. Always get that full model number first.

Models Known to Experience MODEL-665-GUIDE Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

665.12773K310, 665.13123K701, 665.13153K701, 665.13923K010, 665.14743N512, 665.14812N611, 665.16039400, 665.15974N510

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026